Brutal Assault on a Denaby Miner

A Smart Punishment

A serious assault on a Denaby miner was investigated at the Doncaster County Police Court on Saturday, before Mr. G. H. C. Yarborough (presiding), with Mr. L. T. Baines, Mr. E. T. Lathes, and Mr. J. Coulman, when Alfred Thompson, miner, New Conisboro’, summoned Thomas Barrett, a fuller, and Michael O’Malley, pony driver, of Conisboro’, for assaulting him at Conisboro’ on the 5th September.

Mr. W. Baddiley appeared for the complainant.

In opening the case, he said he thought after their Worships had heard the evidence they would be convinced that a serious and most unprovoked assault had been committed.

He stated that on the 5th September the complainant was with a man named Joyner, when the defendants went up to him, assaulted him, and threatened what they would do. In consequence, the complainant saw the police, who escorted him home and advised him to remain indoors.

He lay down on the sofa and went to sleep. At about nine o’clock, while his wife was out, he was awakened by a heavy blow on the head with a shovel. He found three men in the house, two of whom were the defendants. They knocked him to the floor, kicked and beat him.

Neighbours, including Mrs. Fletcher, entered the house. As soon as he could get up, the complainant went to the police and was afterwards treated by a doctor. He had since remained under medical care and had been continually threatened by the defendants.

The complainant, Alfred Thompson, was then sworn. He stated that he lived at 80 Clifton Street and was a fitter employed at Cadeby Main Colliery.

On the evening in question, between 6.30 and seven o’clock, he was speaking to Harry Joyner in the street when the defendants came up, knocked him down, and threatened him. He had had no previous quarrel with them but had been summoned to give evidence in June against Barrett’s brother, after which the threats began.

Later that evening, acting on police advice, he remained indoors. While resting on the sofa, he was struck on the head with a shovel. The defendants and another man then knocked him down and beat him.

He escaped and ran to Doncaster Road, near Mr. Wray’s pawnbroker’s shop. He was bleeding, and a doctor attended him. He had since lost eight shifts of work.

In reply to O’Malley, the complainant said the latter had previously lodged with him and owed him £2 7s. He denied using abusive language or threatening the defendants.

Further, he stated that on the 17th September a man named William Galbraith approached him on behalf of the defendants offering 50s. to settle the case, later increasing the offer to £3 plus £1 for medical expenses, which he refused.

Harry Joyner gave evidence that while speaking with the complainant, the defendants approached, Barrett saying, “What the b— have you been saying about me,” after which they assaulted him and ran away.

Mrs. Fletcher stated that she saw the two defendants in the house.

Mrs. Thompson also gave evidence.

P.C. Lund said that shortly before 8 o’clock he heard the defendants using threatening language near Thompson’s house. Later Thompson reported the assault to him.

P.C. Taylor corroborated this evidence.

The Chairman said the Bench considered the assault very serious and wished it to be clearly understood that such conduct would be stopped. A fine would not meet the case.

Each defendant was sentenced to two calendar months’ imprisonment at Wakefield, with hard labour.